Dhaka: Government’s petroleum corporation, Petrobangla, is going to invite international tender by December for onshore gas exploration, in a bid to remedy the energy crunch facing the country.

“Drafting the production-sharing contract is underway,” chairman the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Professor Hossain Mansur told banglanews24.com.bd Saturday.

The exploration of gas by foreign companies was suspended following a High Court stay order after a case had been filed by an environmental organisation in 2005.

“As the High Court withdrew its stay order in January this year, there are no hurdles on the way of searching gas blocks,” the chairman added.

A senior officer of Petrobangla said the organization would lease out fresh gas blocks for exploration through the international tendering.

Out of 22 gas blocks, 15 are fresh as well as untouched, sources said.

“Of the new blocks, four have been allocated to the state-owned BAPEX while the rest will go for lease,” the official added.       

BDST 1815hrs June 12, 2010
HA/RS/SMS/MUA